I've been a fan of three-inch guns since the first time a buddy let me shoot his 66-3, I hit everything I aimed at and decided I needed to get that one away from him. Twenty-four years later, he still has it, and I'm still trying. (Negotiations continue....) But in the meantime, I happened across a few other three-inch guns, and made them my own. First there was this one..............
A Smith 657, which I foolishly let get away since it was too big to carry comfortably off-duty. Eventually I happened into a deal for a used Smith 65-5 three-inch, and pounced. I still have that one, and have made it my own. Re-shaped the (stainless steel
) front sight, shaved off the hammer spur, and did the best trigger job of my life. Absolutely amazing trigger. Even a few gunsmith friends have said they can't beat it, and it's dead reliable with all primers, even those damned CCI monsters.
Not long ago a guy here at work mentioned a gun he was thinking about selling, and I pounced again. I've long lusted after a Smith 696, but the used guns are close to a grand around here!
This Rossi 720 three-incher cost me less than a fourth of that, shoots like it's laser-guided, and carries easily. If five rounds constitutes a handicap, you need to practice more, it doesn't phase me at all. Here's a pic of the last two, sitting by the window, asking when we're going to the range again. "Tomorrow? Pleeeeeeeease?"
So what is it about the three-inch guns that makes them so desireable.......the balance? The sexy profile? I neither know nor care. All I know is that whatever it is, I'm a complete and total sucker for it!
Papajohn